The glasse of the Gospell, or the examination of our faith, according to the Articles of faith, which containe the summe of the Gospell.

Rules.

3. THe measure of our faith is according
to the measure of the
power therof in comfort and sanctification,
issuing from euery article, except
in the time of temptation.
2. All the benefits contayned in the
articles of faith, are ours, in &through
Christ onely, when he is ours.
3. Let vs proue our selues therefore
whether we are in the faith, let vs examine
our selues; knowe wee not our
owne selues, how that Iesus Christ is in
vs, except we be reprobates.
4. And if Christ be in vs, the body is
dead because of sinne, but the spirit is
life for righteousnesse sake.
5. For the Kingdome of God is not in
word but in power.
6. We must therfore shew our faith
out of our workes: for as the bodye

1

without the spirit is dead, , euen so faith
without works is dead. Iam. 2. 18. 20.
26.

1. Article.
I beleeue in God]

3. This is my faith, that though by
nature thorough Adam, I &the whole
Church are Apostates from God, and
enemies to him &his law, yet by grace
thorough the seco~d Adam Iesus Christ,
God is our God, and we his people reconciled
vnto him, to serue him in newnesse
of life all our dayes.
2. This is my comfort hereof, that
God is my God, and hath sealed mee
for himselfe, and therefore I am most
blessed, being in such a case. Psal. 144.
15.
3. This giues mee further assurance
that this my faith is sound, because together
with this comfort, he hath giue~
me since I beleeued in his name a heart
desirous to depart from all iniquity. 2.
Tim. 2. 29.

Father]

3. This is my faith, that though I was
a child of wrath, yet by grace in Christ
I am the child of God, and God my
louing father.
2. This comfort I receiue hereof, that
I being thus his child shall lacke nothing,
because my heauenly father
doth tender me much more, then any
earthly father his child. Esay. 46. 15.
16.
3. This is my assurance, that my faith
herein is sincere, because together
with this comfort, I feele my selfe affectioned
to reuerence, loue and obey
him as my most deare father, and am
inabled by his spirit to runne to him
with boldnesse in al my wants, crying
Abba, oh my father. Rom. 8. 15.

Almighty]

This is my faith, that
though I be weake and vnable to resist
my enimies bodilie or spirituall, no
way able to helpe or prouide for my
selfe, yet my heauenly father is of all
maiesty and power, guiding continually

men, Angells, deuils, and all creatures
to serue for his owne glory, and
the good of his children.
2. This comfort I receiue hereof,
that he doth &will continually make
all things worke togither for the best
vnto mee, not only the holy meanes
appointed thereunto, but also myne
afflictions, yea my greatest enimies.
Sinnes and Sathan himselfe, vntill I be
perfected in the Heauens. Gen. 50.
20.
3. This also doth further assure mee,
that he thus works for mee: because he
hath first shewed the same mighty power,
quickning and raysing mee vp
from the death of sin, which he shewed
in raysing my Sauiour from the
graue, and secondlie for that I haue
sensibly felte all things thus working
togither for my saluation.

Maker of heauen and earth]

3. This is my faith, that though
thorow Adam I had lost the right,

both of heauen and earth, and of euery
creature, so as I could haue no comfort
in the vse of the~, but terror as an vsurper,
being cast forth off the earthly
paradice, left as an heire of the curse,
yet thorough my Sauiour the second
Adam, since I truely beleued in him, I
am restored to a farre better estate, being
made in him a right heyre of all,
neuer to be cast forth off my inheritance
any more.
2. This comfort I receiue hereof,
that heauen is mine and all the ioyes
thereof, and that I am set already in
the heaue~ly places in Christ my head,
who reserues the full fruition for mee.
And secondly that all the creatures in
heauen and in earth bee they good or
bad, are at a league with mee, to helpe
for my good, so far as may stand with
his glory, my saluation and the good
of his Church. Hos. 2. 18.
3. This is also my assurance, that
my faith is sincere herein, because that
together with this comfort, I both

G

perceiue all the creatures thus ready to
helpe me, especially in time of triall
when ordinary meanes fayle: and also
feele a holy care wrought in mee to
vse the creatures aright, sanctifying
them by the word and prayer, and that
my affections are sette on heauenly
things.

2. Article.
And in Iesus]

3. This is my faith, that though I am
guiltie of innumerable sinnes both originall
and actuall, euen the breach
of the whole law, and euery part thereof,
and so am worthy to bee damned,
and haue al the plagues of God dewe
to my sinne cast vpon me, yea though
I was a bondslaue to sin and Sathan,
yet I beleeue that Iesus is my Sauiour,
&hath deliuered me from al my sins,
both the guilt, &satisfactory punishment
of them, as also from the power
of sinne and Sathan. Rom. 6. 12.
14.

2. This faith is my comfort, and
moreouer that all my sinnes and enemies
shall not hinder my saluation.
Rom. 8. 39.
3. This is also for my ful assurance
thereof, because besides that I feele my
soule reioycing in God my Sauiour, &
I perceiue my selfe also deliuered from
the tyranny of Sathan, and power of
sinne, euen of those sinnes which before
led me captiue, so that no sinne
hath any more dominion ouer mee,
that I doe serue it in the lusts thereof,
and for that I am withall deliuered
from the terrors of conscience for my
sinne.

Christ.

3. This is my faith, that though I
was in the kingdome of darkenesse &
a stranger from God by my sinne, yet
Christ was anoynted for me with all
the gifts of the spirit to bee my mediatour,
my King.
my Priest.
my Prophet. Mat. 23. 10. Act. 3 22. 23.

G 2

2. This is my co~fort, that he being my
king, hath and will fully deliuer mee
from the kingdome of Satan, &giue
vnto mee his heauenly kingdom. Secondly
being my Priest, hath first reco~ciled
mee to his father; by the sacrifice
of himselfe, and keepes me since in
fauour, by his perpetuall intercession.
Thirdly being my Prophet, will proceede
to teach me all the will of his father
necessary to eternall life.
3. This is for my assurance hereof,
because I feele my selfe to haue receiued
of the anoynting of euery one of
these from Christ &the fruit of them.
3. of his kingdome, inabling me to begin
not onely to subdue my synnes &
euill affections, but also to rule so far
ouer my selfe, as to bring my verye
thoughts and all committed vnto mee
into some obedience to Christ. 2. Of
his Priesthood whereby I am made
able to offer to the Lord my selfe, supplications,
thankes and works of mercy,
with all that I haue to serue him.

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3. Of his Prophesy, making mee to
growe in the knowledge of himselfe,
and in care to instruct others therein.

His onely sonne]

3. This is my faith, that hee beeing
the onely sonne of the Father by nature,
hath made mee a child and heire
by the grace of adoption, who was by
nature a child of wrath and perdition.
2. This comfort I finde herein, that
to mee belongs the inherita~ce of Gods
sonnes. Gal. 47. Rom. 8. 17.
3. This also is for my assurance, for
that he hath sent the spirit of his sonne
into my heart, whereby I can call
him father with comfort, which is my
witnesse and seale. Romans. 8 16. 2.
Cor 1. 22.

Our Lord]

3. This is my faith, that though I
was vnder the Prince of darkenesse,
hauing Sathan my Lord, vntill I belieued

G 3

in Christ, yet since I am Christs
and he is my onely Lord
By 3. Purchase with his bloud.
By 2. Gift from his father.
By 3. marriage co~tracted to be
co~sumate at his appearing.
2. This is my comfort, that being
thus purchased and giuen to him as a
peculiar guift, I shall neuer perish, and
being thus contracted to Christ my
Lord, the bond thereof is in such faithfulnesse,
as shal neuer be dissolued, vntill
I be brought into the bride-chamber,
and fully glorified.
3. This increaseth my assurance,
for that together with this comfort,
I feele my selfe redeemed from the
earth: viz. my earthly conuersation, &
doe delight to heare the voice of my
bridegroome.

3. Article.
Which was conceiued by the holy Ghost,
borne of the virgin Mary]

3. This is my faith: that though I
was conceiued in sinne, and borne in

iniquitie, and so corrupted in all the
parts both of my soule and body, yet
that both the conception, birth and
whole nature of Christ my Sauiour,
was fully sanctified by being vnited to
his Godhead, to bee imputed vnto
mee.
2. This is my comfort, that my God
hath giuen me this holines of his son,
as a robe to couer all my sinfulnes, and
wherby I doe both presently, and shal
euer stand most gloriously in Gods
sight, chiefly at the great day.
3. This is my further assurance
hereof, because I can mourne for this
totall corruption in mee, and being
humbled in the sense of it, am driuen
daily to put on Christ by faith: and
for that I feele also the newe birth in
me, by a change begun in all the powers
both of my bodie and soule,
wrought by vertue hereof, since I was
conceiued and borne in the Church,
by the power of the holy Ghost.

G 4

4. Article.
Suffered vnder Pontius Pilate: was crucified]

3. This is my faith, that besides all the
euills which my Sauiour indured for
mee, in all the course of his life, he also
indured that most shamefull and accursed
death which I had deserued,
to satisfie his fathers iustice for me, &
to pacifie his wrath towards mee.
2. This is my comfort hence, that I
am deliuered from the curse of the
law, he beeing thus accursed for mee,
&that whatsoeuer sufferings I indure
in this life, are sanctified hereby to be
to me
Fatherly 3. Exercises.
Fatherly 2. Chastisements.
Fatherly 3. Trialls.
Fatherly 4. Fulfilling of Christs afflictions.
Fatherly 5. Meanes to confirme mee
to Christ my head,
6. Examples to others.
3.This also warrants the soundnes

of my faith herein. 3. Because I feele
my selfe to profit in Christianity by
my afflictions and crosses. 2. I desire
to take pleasure in such suffrings for
Christs sake. 3. Because the old man in
mee beginnes to bee crucified with
Christ. Gal. 2. 19. 5. 24.

Dead.]

3. This is my faith, that Christ hath
died for my sin and by dying hath ouercome
death, and so taken away the
sting thereof, that it cannot hurt any of
those that beleeue in him.
2. This comfort I finde hereupon,
that death shalbe so far off from hurting
mee, that it is already sanctified by
this death of my Sauiour, to be to mee
the gate of life.
3. This also increaseth my assurance
that my faith is sound herein, because
I finde together with this comfort,
that euery sinne hath receiued his
deaths wounde in me (each beginning
to dye) and for that I feele a power by

Christs death, to triumph against the
terrors of death, waiting for it, when I
haue finished my course, wishing to
bee dissolued and to bee with Christ.
Rom. 7. 24.

And buried]

3. This is my faith, that Christ was
buried for me, both to assure me of the
certaintie of his death for me, and that
all my sinnes are buried in his graue,
yea withall to bury sinne in mee, and
to sanctifie my graue to bee a sweete
bedde for my body to rest in vntill the
resurrection.
2. This very faith is my ioy, and
moreouer that my sinnes thus buried
shal neuer come into remembrance to
accuse or condemne mee, or to hinder
Gods euerlasting mercy &loue from
me.
3. This also furthers my assurance,
for that together with this ioy, I feele
many sinnes buried in me, and consuming
daily by the vertue of this death

and buriall of my Sauiour, especially,
the strength and delight I tooke in euery
sinne.

He descended into hell]

3. This is my faith, that Christ suffered
not only in his body the punishment
due to my body, but in his soule
also the torme~t due to my soule, which
I should haue indured for euermore,
and that not onely vppon the crosse,
but also in the garden, as appeareth by
his speeches, his prayers, his crie, his agony,
and bloody sweate, and so hath
for me triumphed ouer hell.
2. This is my comfort, that though
I stood euer in danger of eternal death
for all my sinnes, yet now by my Sauiour
I am deliuered from the terrours
thereof. Heb 2. 15.
3. This is further for my assurance
hereof, for that I haue receiued comfort
in this onely, euen then when the
paines of hell haue gotten hold vpon
mee for my sinnes; and because I feele

a desire to saue others also from that
place of torment by leading them to
this my Sauiour, and haue now entred
the narrow way to heauen following
my Sauiour therein, hauing left the
broad way going to destruction.

5. Article.
The third day he rose again from the
dead]

3. This is my faith, that my Sauiour
hath fully satisfied the iustice of his father
for my sinn, euen to the vttermost
farthing, in that he rose againe, because
any one sin of his elect not satisfied
for had kept him in death, seeing
he tooke vpon him to become surety
for them all.
2. This is my ioye, that thorough
him I am iustified and stand as righteous
in the sight of my God, all my sins
being vtterly done away, and couered
hereby.
3. This helpeth my assurance hereof,

for that besides this comfort, I feele
my selfe also raysed vp to a desire of a
perfect holinesse. Apo-20. 5. 6.

6. Article.
He ascended into heauen]

3. This is my faith, that when my
Sauiour had fulfilled all things in the
earth for the redeeming of his church,
he went vp into heauen, both to
prepare the way, and also to take
possession and to keepe it for mee.
Ioh. 14 2.
2. This is my ioy, that none can hinder
mee from thence, but where my
Sauiour and head is, there shall I bee
also.
This ratifieth my assurance, for that
my affections are already ascended,
beeing set on things that are aboue.
Col. 3. 2.

And sitteth on the right hand of God the father almighty]

3. This is my faith, that my Sauiour
hath all power giuen him ouer all
sorts, to giue eternall life to whom he
will, and condemne the rest, sittes as
King at the right hand of his Father,
filling his Church with his gifts, guiding
it by his word and spirit, vntill he
haue glorified it, and subdued all his
enemies, conuincing them by the light
of Nature workes,
3.creatures.
2.iudgme~ts.
3.mercies.
of his word.
2. This is my comfort, that he will
guide me by his word &spirit continually:
&ouer-rule whatsoeuer Satha~
or the wicked can doo against mee, to
serue for my good, &against the~selues.
3. This is also for my further assurance
herein, because I feele my selfe
desirous to be guided by the direction
of his holye spirit speaking in the
word: and moreouer, I heare a voyce
behind mee saying; This is the way,
walke in it, when I turne to the right
hand or to the left.

7. Article.
From thence hee shall come, to .]

3. This is my faith, that my Sauiour
shal come to be the iudge of the whole
world, to iudge euery one according
to their workes.
2. This is my ioy, that though I did,
and doo naturally quake, so oft as I
heare or thinke of the terrible iudgement,
yet remembring the iudge, who
hath by himselfe satisfied for all my
sinnes, so taking them on himselfe,
and giuen me his owne absolute righteousnesse.
I can cry; Come Lord Iesus,
come quickly, sith hee shall come
to mee a most happy Sauiour, and not
an angry iudge.
3. This is also for the accomplishme~t
of my assurance, that this my faith is
sincere, because besides this comfort, I
labour alwaies to haue a cleare conscience,
that I may haue boldnesse at that
day, and can perswade men, knowing

The terrour of the Lord.

8. Article.
I beleeue in the holie Ghost]

3. This is my faith, that the holy
Ghost is God, the third person in Trinity,
sanctifier and preseruer of his
Church, knitting the whole church to
Christ the head thereof, &euery me~ber
one to another.
2. This is my comfort, that hee will
perfect in mee this good worke of sa~ctification
vntill the appearing of Iesus Christ,
hauing already so knit mee
to Christ my head, as I can neuer bee
separated.
3. This assureth my heart, because I
haue already receiued the first fruits
of this blessed Spirit, whereby I am inabled
to sigh, wayting for the perfect
adoption, and to pray with groanes,
striuing against that corruption in me
therefore it is to mee as the seale and
earnest of my inheritance against the
day of glory. 2. Cor. 1 .22.

9. Article.
The holy catholike Church.]

The holy catholike Church.]

3. This is my faith, that God hath
alwayes a chosen flocke, not onely of
those who triumph already in the
heauens, but euen militant here in the
earth, vniuersally scattered, all which
he hath ordained to eternall life, by
his sonne Iesus Christ, to whom all his
promises appertaine, hauing these
principall markes, a cheerefull submission
to the word and sacraments outwardly,
and holy affections inwardly
according to the same, proceeding
from this holy faith: though the number
of them haue beene very small in
the most florishing ages of the church,
and those ordinarily of the baser sort,
and shall scant be found when Christ
shall come.
2. This is my comfort, that GOD
hath vouchsafed mee to bee one of

H

that little flock. Luc. 12. 32.
3. This assureth mee further hereof,
because I feele in my selfe a hungring
after the word and Sacraments, as my
spirituall nourishment, and can willingly
submit my selfe to be guided by
the same word, for the perfecting this
worke of grace begun in me.

The communion of Saints.]

2. This is my faith, that this whole
Church hath a communion or felowship
together in Christ &al his benefits,
&so in euery article of this faith,
as in the same Sauiour, Father, preseruer
&sanctifier: and also amongst
themselues, being affected alike both
inwardly in loue, hatred, ioy, griefe,
that is, to loue the same things, and
for the same: and outwardly in relieuing,
helping, and caring for one another.
2. This reioyceth my soule, that the
Lord hath vouchsafed mee to bee of
this blessed communion.

3. This further assureth me hereof,
because together with this comfort, I
am so affected to all the true seruants
of God, thus soundly professing the
Gospell, that I can pray hartily for
them, mourne and reioyce with them,
and for them, as for my brethren and
sisters, and be readie to helpe them in
whatsoeuer, esteeming of them as
members of Christ with mee, and can
clayme the word as my portion and
heritage for euer. Psal, 119. 111.

10. Article.
The forgiuenesse of sinnes

3. This is my faith, that all this
whole church &euery member thereof,
haue all their sinnes forgiuen for
Christ, being all washed in his blood.
2. This comfort I finde hereof, that
howsoeuer I am a miserable sinner
many wayes, yet none of all my sinnes
shall euer be imputed vnto mee, being
of this holy Communion. Rom. 8, 33.

H 2

3. This is also for my assurance, because
I can oft mourne bitterly, when
I looke at my Sauiour, whom by my
sinnes I haue crucified, and do abhor
them as none of mine, but fruits of that
sin that still dwelleth in mee in part,
and moreouer because I can forgiue
and pray euen for my very enimies, &
haue set my selfe to wage continuall
war against euery sin.

11. Article.
The resurrection of the body].

3. This is my faith, that all bodies
shall rise againe at the last day, when
Christ comes, the bodies of al the faithfull
to eternall ioy by the resurrection
of Iesus Christ, though all the rest to
condemnation.
2. This is my comfort, that this my
body now subiect to diuerse infirmities,
as sicknesse, manifold paines and
sorrowes, &c shall then arise a glorious
body like the shining bodye of

Iesus Christ, free from any more misery,
paine, or labour, all teares beeing
wipt away from mine eyes.
3. This is also my further assurance
hereof, because I feele in my selfe the
first resurrection, by a dayly rising in
my inner man, to newnesse of life. Apoc.
20. 6.

12. Article.
The life euerlasting]

3. This is my faith; that in steede of
this transitory life, so full of labours
and griefs, God hath prouided for all
this holy church a most happy and
blessed life, which shall continue
for euermore. Apo. 21. 22. &22. 1. 2.
3. 4. 5.
2. This ioy I finde herein, that
though my life bee full of crosses and
troubles, euery day subiect to a thousand
temptations, and very momentanye,
yet then it shalbe a most glorious
life, when I shall dwell in Paradice in

H 3

the presence of God, and all his blessed
Saintes and Angels for euermore.
1. Thes. 1. 9. 10.
3. This finally confirmeth my assurance
hereof, because I feele the life
of grace begunne in mee alreadie,
which is the beginning of this eternall
life (but that then it shall be far more
holy and glorious, and euery way
more blessed then the heart of man
can conceiue,) and moreouer for that
he hath giuen me this grace to belieue
in the sonne: I therefore know by the
testimony of my Sauiour, that I haue
eternall life; and withall he hath giuen
me a heart to heare his voyce with delight,
so that I shall neuer perish: yea
my faith herein is such, that I account
all things but losse and dung, in respect
of Christ Iesus my Sauiour, and al
the troubles of this life, not worthie
the glorie, that shall bee then reuealed
vnto me, &so striue hard forward towardes
this marke, labouring alwaies
to keep a good co~sciene, both toward

102

God &man; that I may euer be prepared
for the ful fruitio~ hereof, &cou~ted
worthy to enter through the gates
into the Citie. Apoc. 22. 14.

This is the victory that ouercommeth
the worlde, euen our faith. 1.Ioh. 5. 4
Be thou faithful vnto the death, and I
will giue thee the crowne of life. Apoc. 2.
10.
Here is the patience of Saintes, here
are they which keep the commandements
of God, and the faith of Iesus. Apoc. 14.
12.
I haue sworne and will performe it,
that I will keepe thy righteous iudgements
alway. Psal. 119. 160.
Then shall I not be confounded, when I
haue respect to all thy commaundements.
Psal. 119. 6.
Lorde increase my faith. Luke. 17. 5.
Mat. 9. 24.

H 4

The benefits of this practise of examination to incourage vs vnto it, sith it is wearisome and vnpleasant to flesh and bloud.

3. Performing it aright, wee shall avoid
al hardnesse of heart, lukewarmnesse,
sleeping in any sin, and preuent
an euill conscience, with many other
punishments of sinne, and withall we
shalbe able to recouer our selues forth
with, out of euery grosse sinne, and
from Sathans power, yea euen from
the gulph of deepest dispayre. Psalme.
32. 4. 5.
2. We shall dayly be putting off the
old man, and putting on the newe:
strippe vs off the ragges of our sinnes,
and put on our wedding garment, to
make vs still more glorious in the eies
of our bridegrome: yea we shall caste
away the workes of darkenesse and
put vpon vs the armor of light.
3. Being thus armed, wee shall be so

inabled to watch continually, and defend
our selues against Sathan, and all
his power, that he shall neuer giue vs
any deadly wounds, but we shall put
him to flight, and in time trample him
vtterly vnder our feet.
4. We shalbe able to see the good
way and wherein the perfection of a
Christian consists, with his true glorie
and felicity in this life, and to reioyce
in them that are such: and withall to
behold the feareful state of the world,
to mourne for it with iust Lot: so to
iudge aright betweene the godly and
the wicked, and specially to iudge for
our owne estate.
5. We shall be fitted in some measure
according to our place and calling
as wee are Christians, to teach,
conuince, admonish, reproue, exhort
and comfort both our selues and
others.
6. We shall be inabled to pray for
our selues and others, with the whole
Church of God, according to our seuerall

105

necessities, and after the will of
God in faith, and withall to make a
most sound confession of our sinnes
generall or particular, with feeling, and
so most sweet thankesgiuing for all
mercies, with a like comfortable profession
of our faith.
7.We shall so grow in Christ, and
repayre his image, as by beholding &
obseruing our selues, we shall get most
strong consolation, that wee are true
branches of that holy vine, liuely me~bers
of Christs body, the very sheepe
of his fold, to stand at his right hand,
and hence most certaine assurance of
eternall life sealed vnto vs by his holy
Spirit, hauing in the meane time
all the promises of this life, and that
to come, all being ours and for vs.
8. Seeing our growth in grace, perceiuing
what sinnes wee haue ouercome,
and what graces we haue obtained,
we shalbe incouraged to striue
forward to perfection, vntill wee obtaine
the ende of our strife, the crowne

of glory. Apoc. 2. 9. 10.
9. Wee shall shine as starres in the
world, to the greater glory of our god.
the comfort and good ensample of
Gods seruants, the conuersion of the
wicked, or stopping their mouthes,
and leauing them more without excuse.
10. We shall increase the brightnesse
of our glorie in heauen, as wee haue
more glorified God in the earth: for
the practise of this examination in the
course of our life, is a spirituall sowing,
whereof wee shall in due time reape
a plentifull haruest, if wee faile not.
Gal. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
11. Wee shall be sure to gette and
keepe a good conscience, wherof such
peace, boldnesse, securitie, and heauenly
ioy will follow in vs, as passeth
all vnderstanding, and no carnall man
can possibly feele, but onely those
for whome the kingdome is prepared,
because it is the beginning of it
in this world.

107

12. Briefly, which is the summe of
all, we shall get this assurance that Iesus
Christ is our Sauiour anointed for
vs, our King.
our Priest.
our Prophet.
hauing made vs also Kings and priests,
to our God for euermore.

Some necessary questions appertayning
hereunto.
3. Of senselesnesse in sinne.

Quest. Can any man liuing without
feeling of his sinne, and misery by it,
or of his spirituall pouerty, haue any
sound hope of his saluation by Christ?
Ans. No. Christ is a phisition onely
to them that are sicke, a deliuerer to
them who feele themselues in prison,
calls them only that trauell, and are
ready to faint vnder the burthen of
their sinnes.

Of obstinacy in sinne.

Q. Can any who continue stubbornely
in any one sinne, not submitting
themselues to bee ruled by the
word of Christ and his ministers, in all
things, hope for eternall life by Christ,
or the fauour of God?
A. No, they that come to Christ must
followe him forsaking themselues, taking
vp their crosse dayly, and learne
of him to beare his yoake: if euer they
will finde rest vnto their soules, they
must heare his voice, or else they shall
be destroyed from among his people.
For they that despise Christs messengers,
refusing to heare them, despise
him: and all that boast of faith, must
shew their faith by their workes, to be
a liuing faith, else it shall no more profit
them then the faith of the deuills,
yea all must followe holinesse without
which no man shall euer see God with
comfort. Heb. 12. 14.

3. To whom sound comfort belongs.

Q. Can any but they who indeauor
to walke with GOD in holinesse all
their daies, haue any comfort that they
shall be heard in their distresse, or can
they pray?
A. No, for the iustice of God will
not admitte it: for hee that turnes away
his eare from hearing the law, his praier
is abhominable, and what maruell
is it, if God call to vs, and wee will not
heare to obey him, though hee heare
not vs, when wee call and cry to him.
Therefore we must hold the prophets
rule for certaine. That if wee but
incline vnto wickednes in our hearts,
God will not heare vs.

Experiment generall.

Trie whether wee can finde any
sound co~fort in our prayers, that God
will heare vs in the day of our affliction
or any time of neede, or that any
one of the promises of GOD belong
to vs, or so much as beleeue any

article or faith with comfort, vntill
we haue soundly repented of all our
sinnes, our known sinnes particularly,
vnknowne generally, with a full resolution
to know the Lord, and feare
him, walking in all his commaundements
for euer.

4. Quest. Of the causes of backsliding.

Quest. Sith sinne hath such fearefull
effectes, and men voyde of feeling
of their sinne, are in so dangerous
a case, how come a number,
who haue had some good feeling, to
such coldnesse in religion, hardnes of
heart and senselessnesse in sinne, as
to make no conscience almost of any
sinne?
Ans. 3. By neglecting the meanes
of the preseruation of grace, as of ordinary
hearing, reading of the Scriptures
and other good bookes prayer,
meditation, conference, examination,

fasting, and the like, or doing these
things for a fashion onely, without reuerence,
or at least not waiting, for the
fruit of them.
2. By committing some grosse sin,
or liuing in some knowne sin without
repentance, as Dauid, or for not glorifiyng
god according to our knowledge
of him, in practising all holy duetyes
which he requireth, or at least, not receiuing
the loue of the truth. 2. Thes. 2
10. 11. 12.
3. By ouermuch greedinesse in seeking
earthly things, whether our pleasures,
profits, ease or credit, which
steale awaye our hearts and choke
grace; or seeking the~ more then Gods
glory and his sauour, with the things
concerne his kingdome, or with the
neglect hereof, and of the saluation of
our brethren. For our loue cannot bee
in the highest degree, to two contrary
maisters: but as it increaseth towardes
one it decreaseth towardes the other.
neither will our iealous God part our

loue with the world, for eyther hee
will bee loued with all the hearte, and
with all the soule, and aboue all earthly
things, or not at all.
4. By familiaritie with the enemies
of Gods religion, or men notoriously
prophane, or luke-warme professours
for it is the iust iudgement of God to
leade vs into temptation hereby, so giuing
vs vp for these sinnes.

Some speciall preseruatiues against euerie sinne.

3. That wee be resolute to choose
rather to indure any misery, then to
sinne against God. as Ioseph, Daniel,
and the three children.
2. That wee consider the haynousnesse
of the least sinne, that it is against
Gods infinite maiestie, and
Christs bloud, deseruing the eternal
curse of God; and more by the fearefull
punishment of the sinne of the angels,
of Adam, Moses, Vzzah, Saul,

I

and chiefly, that vppon the sonne of
God himselfe, so to accustome our
selues to subdue the very least sinnes.
3.That wee warily resist the
first motions to any sinne, and
bee carefull auoyd euery occasion
thereof, as we doe of infectious diseases.
Gen. 39. 10.
4. That we liue alwaies as in Gods
presence who may take vs away on a
suddaine, remembring also our appearance
before him. Acts. 24. 15. 16.
5. That wee keepe continually a
freshe remembrance of Gods great
goodnesse, especially his chiefest mercies
bodily, and spirituall, ordinarie,
and extraordinary, to say alwaies as
Ioseph, how can I doe this, and sinne against
my good God? Neh. 6. 11. 13.
6. That we be walking euer painfully
in our special calling with God.
7. That we keepe withall a perpetuall
memorie of the former miserie of
sinne, and blessings of righteousnesse.
8. That aboue all wee vse feruent

prayer vpon all occasions to bee kept
by these preseruatiues. 1. Thes. 5. 17.
Eph. 6. 18.

Meanes to keepe alwaies a tender conscience.

3. This practise of considering our
waies. Psal. 119. 59.
2. Carefull vsing all the meanes of
grace, neglecting no one.
3. Auoyding presumptions, or grosse
sinnes.
4. Companying familiarly onely
with the godly, auoyding the contrary
so farre, as is possible.
5. Watching against worldly cares,
that they steale not away our hearts.
Mat. 6. 24. &13. 22. Luk 21. 34.

This is the generation of them that
seeke him, of them that seeke thy face, this
is Jacob. Psa. 24. 6.
The way of the righteous shineth as the
light that shineth more and more vnto
the perfect day. Pro. 4. 18. 19.

I 2

The louing kindnesse of the Lord endureth
for euer and euer vppon them
that feare him, and his righteousnesse
vpon childrens children. Vnto them
that keepe his couenant, and thinke vppon
his commaundements, to doe them. Psal.
103. 17. 18.

FINIS.